Minnesota renews energy!

In february of this yearour legislature adopted one of the largest renewable energy markets in the country. Xcel energy the largest power co. in the state is being required to meet the standard of thirty percent renwable by 2020. This just adds to the list of requirements already in place since 1994 for minnesota power companies. The new standard also requires the public utilities commision to establish a renewable energy credit trading system by jan. 1 of 2008. The link to this info is http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/clean_energy/minnesota.pdf

Reduce Oil Dependency and Global Warming

Reducing oil depency and the effects that global warming has on the world are things that the Union of Concerned Scientists is setting out to do. The USC wants to have states join this challenge by setting standards that require the generation of cleaner electricity. Sounds like a great idea and the surprising thing is that many states have jumped on the band wagon to make this happen. go to www.ucsusa.org to find out if your home state is on the list

US Getting HOTTER?

By the mid year 2080 the world is going to be 10 degrees warmer. Conusming more fossil Fuels is going to contribute to the increase in the weather. Studies say that by 2080 102 degrees in Jacksonville, 100 degrees in Memphis, 96 degrees in Atlanta, and 91 degrees in Chicago. What do we do to help. Maybe nothing, but there is always something you can change you just have to want to.

Baby Sea Turtles are the cutest creatures on Earth!!!

I do not care what anyone says, but baby sea turtles are cute. We need to do everything we can to protect them. They are one of my favorite creatures on this planet. If anyone has a dvd of baby sea turtles crawling and flopping their way to the beach, let me borrow it. Well anyways, read more about them. http://www.conservation.org/xp/CIWEB/programs/turtleflagship/

Great Idea! Bad Execution!

In England a bunch of protestors were outraged by a GMO testing field and decided to stage a protest… The idea behind there protest is that they would contaminate the GM potato field, with non GM potatoes. Brilliant way to stop the protests, no? Well something went wrong, they contaminated the wrong field! Instead of planting potatoes in the GM field, they planted them in some poor innocent bean farmers field… by the time the farmer had realized that there were protested on his field… there was nothing he could do. It wasn’t until after the fact that the protesters realized they had attacked the wrong field… Now the bean farmer has potatoes growing in random places all over his field…

I thought it was funny!
http://environment.guardian.co.uk/food/story/0,,2065039,00.html

Grasshopper are like Humans

Are grasshoppers like humans Recent studies have shown that grasshoppers and humans have something in common. When you put a bunch of grasshopper to the jumping test, scientists found that they are much like hopping humans. Why you might ask? Because the grasshoppers muscle is the only invertebrate muscle that functions like the human's sprinting muscle. Read more at:http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,270772,00.html

Interior Official Who Censored Federal Scientists Resigns But Political Interference Remains a Serious Problem, Scientist Group Says

released: May 1, 2007

who draws the lines for what is real and what is fiction when it comes to what we want to know or what we need to know?

http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/interior-official-who-0025.html

States Reach Renewable Energy Milestone

The year is 2020, fast enough, or can we do more? this is a lil article showing how some states are trying to change the effects it has on the world as a whole. maybe your home state is listed, maybe not, what will you do for your part?

http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/states-reach-renewable-energy-0023.html

Michael Pollan Online Debate

Greetings, Sustaggers,

For anyone interested in the work of Michael Pollan,
particularly *The Omnivore's Dilemma,* I suggest that you check out
the fascinating discussion forum that began with an open letter from
Michael Pollan to John Mackey, the CEO of Whole Foods. That letter
is posted here: http://www.michaelpollan.com/article.php?id=80

Mr. Mackey's response and many subsequent responses from other people
are posted here: http://www.wholefoods.com/blogs/jm/archives/2006/06/detailed_reply.html

This discussion forum is still active. Scroll way, way down to the
bottom of the page to find a submission form for comments.

Thanks to MISA board members Gigi DiGiacomo and Tony
Thompson for alerting MISA to these resources!

Regards,

Jane Grimsbo Jewett
Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture
University of Minnesota
www.misa.umn.edu

Is Organic Coffee Doomed?

The USDA is making their restrictions on organic coffee more strict. These stricter regulations could put a drastic effect on the organic coffee market in the US. It will now be more difficult for small growers to produce orgainc coffee. Check out more at :
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/04/is_organic_coff.php

Seattle lists steelhead as threatend species

As of monday the 8th, seattle has now declared the puget steelhead (rainbow trout) as a threatend species, another one chalked up to the list due to destroyed habitat and pollution.

http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=12723

Killin' 'em to Get Some

Poaching rises in Zimbabwe's Game Parks, according to ENN.COM. Apparently, there are only 800 Black Rhino's left in Zimbabwe after 1,500 were killed in the 1980's. The horn of the black rhino is "valued in Aisa as an aphrodisiac" which stems much of the poaching. Personally I think this is disgusting, and terribly wrong. The black rhino's are terribly endangered and could easilly throw off the biodiversity of their reigon should they go extinct. People should't be such damn idiots goin around killin animals so they can arouse people when they obviously aren't up for being aroused... don't mind the pun. Such a shame.

London Food Reviewer says NO to Bottled Water

Something to think about! All that water expensively packaged and shipped thousands of miles so we can think or feel that we have some sort of superior water. Is it really worth it!?

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/01/london_food_rev.php

Looking for a job?

Common Roots Cafe is opening in Minneapolis. Offering food made from scratch with an emphasis on ingredients from sustainable local farms, the cafe will provide a needed community gathering space, modeling socially and environmentally responsible business practices. The cafe will increase support for local, organic, and fair-trade foods and socially responsible business practices.

We are currently hiring for the following positions:

l Cook
l Baker
l Counter Service
l Barista

The ideal candidates will:

l Approach this endeavor with fresh and exuberant energy
l Share their knowledge and passion for excellent food and beverage
l Share an interest in issues surrounding local food systems, fair trade and social justice
l Contribute to a positive working environment
l Value a diverse workplace
l Have restaurant experience relevant to the desired position

Preferred qualities include:

l Task and detail oriented
l Self motivated worker
l Strong communication skills
l Commitment to delivering exceptional customer service
l Ability to stand and work on feet for extended periods
l Ability to lift 50 lbs. without assistance

Competitive wages and benefits
Night and weekend hours required
Common Roots Cafe strives for an inclusive and diverse workplace

To apply e-mail resume and cover letter to commonrootscafe@gmail.com. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled, with a desired start date of mid-May.

Environment bill advances

This is the answer to my frist blog I did for this class. the house and senate has come up with a bill to past this last week. more than 440 million is funding for cleaning up our waters and the renewalbe energy initiatives. at lest something is be done. Here is where you can find out more info.

http://www.mepartnership.org/mep_whatsnew.asp?new_id=2292

The Farm Bill: Slow Food USA’s Plan of Action

The information in this article makes me feel that there are ways to be apart of the solution. It showes us how to write our congressmen on these issues. It tells us how to be responsible steward of our purchasing, last but not least to make sure we educate ourselves on the issues of farming and bills that are being put into law.
If we choose to do something, we have a example on how it is done.

Mozart's Hidden Kitchen

When Mozart was alive he was great man who was very well know for his great thinking. He held a meeting type thing that brought the thought of eating quality being related to health. So now in Austria, especially Vienna, they have named many high quality foods after Mozart. In Vienna as a part of the kids curriculum they have to eat at least 30 percent of organic food. This is from Mozart's creative thinking that has made a real impact on the way the people eat today in Vienna. I really liked this article it was very cool to think that a musician has made such an impact on present day Austria.

Effects of global warming in Alaska

This article talk about a small town in Alaska, in which the effects of global warming are visible in their everyday lives. The temperature in Alaska has risen 4 times the rate as the rest of the world. Due to this, the small town has been forced to relocate the entire town 12 miles south of it's original location. Since the ice is present less than what it had been in previous years the natural event known as erosion has begun to eat away at their tiny town and forced them to relocate.

Monsantos round up ready alfalfa has been banned, for now!

The USDA put at stop on monsantos round up ready alfalfa until it is reviewed again by the USDA. I thought this was a good article since someone is finally recognizing that monsanto is doing somthing wrong. I actually found this article on their own website. Monsanto is debating if they are going to apeal the issue in court. Check it out!
Monsanto Company Disappointed With Court Decision Against the USDA Which Suspends the Planting of Roundup Ready Alfalfa

Japan Combats Global Warming

Japan is worried about the destruction of the environment due to their economic growth over the last few decades. They pledge to lead the way in cutting down their gas emissions and also rebuilding their forestry and farming sectors. "Japan pledged $100 million in grants to the Asian Development Bank on Sunday to combat global warming and promote greener investment in the region and called for a stronger international agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions." The article also says that Japan's government has always worried about the growing the country first, worrying about the environment later. The government is now putting the environment first.

http://media.www.dailyvidette.com/media/storage/paper420/news/2007/05/07/News/Japan.Combats.Global.Warming-2895805.shtml

MMM..... Tates like.....lead

For all of those with small children, you might want to check any baby bibs and clothing your kids may be using that have vinyl in them. Wal-Mart has recently been caught selling plastic products made in China that contain 16 times the amount of lead then there is allowed in paint.

http://www.envirolink.org/external.html?www=http%3A//www.dailyherald.com/news/cookstory.asp%3Fid%3D309369&itemid=200705041610040.736743

Organic Options Growing Across Yale

Berkley college campuses are buying locally and in a trend several other schools are following in suite. the school is already buying Fresh greens, apples and pears from an orchard in Meriden, CT, and naturally raised beef from the New England Livestock Alliance. The Yale Sustainability program is set up to help incorporate all the aspects from growing to eating the food. This year, with a 50 percent growth in funds from Yale, the Project has been able to serve organic options to the other residential colleges and thereby meet the Berkeley cafeteria student envy.

Judges go back to school

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070505/ap_on_sc/judge_science_camp;_ylt=Ah4178THCpu9Wy74bSqDbRDMWM0F

I never thought about it before but this scares me. A person with a BA or Masters in English goes to law school, graduates, passes the bar, practices for several years and then becomes a judge. That person sits in judgment on science issues with no knowledge of how that science works! Could this be why the Monsanto-GMO issue was judged in favor of Monsanto? Because the judge on the case didn't know how the science worked or which experts were credible?

This article talks about how 60 judges (out of how many in this country?!?) went to a three-day science boot camp. Three whole days! WOW! At least they are trying to learn.

Third Thursdays!

Every third thursday, 10 local restarants have specials on dishes with locally grown ingredients. Some lists will depend on the availablity of ingredients. This is in cooperation with the Heartland Food Network, to make locally sustainable foods more exposed to the public all 10 restaurants use local ingredients and are trying to to better promote them. Here is the link http://www.mnproject.org/food.mnfoodworks.html

Third Thursdays!

Every third thursday, 10 local restarants have specials on dishes with locally grown ingredients. Some lists will depend on the availablity of ingredients. This is in cooperation with the Heartland Food Network, to make locally sustainable foods more exposed to the public all 10 restaurants use local ingredients and are trying to to better promote them. Here is the link http://www.mnproject.org/food.mnfoodworks.html

Are mobile phones wiping out our bees?

This article was a little strange but kinda interesting. It talks about a theory that mobile phones and hi-tech gadgets are the cause for the collapse of bee colonies due to radiations that the phone gives off.
http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/wildlife/article2449968.ece

Turning food into fuel

This article talks about turning corn husk into fuel and that it contains more energy than corn itself. This article is very intresting to read.

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/environment/article/0,28804,1602354_1603074,00.html

watetr weed is killing fish

there is a weed called the hyacinth which is choking up boat lanes and depleting the amount of fish. what the planet does is that when it grows the leaves surface to the top and block the sun light which then oxgen can not be produce for the fish. there is more information on

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/05/070502-hyacinth.html

Earth's Dwindling Water Supply

This article talks about water usage around the world and why it is important to conserve the water we have. One interesting fact in the article was that 30 to 40 percent of water goes unaccounted for due to water leakage in pipes and canals and illegal connections. http://www.realtruth.org/articles/435-edws.html?gclid=CIi3krjZ_IsCFR6AWAodiB87bg